Low-cost full colour desktop 3D scanner on Kickstarter

Feb.13, 2013

Today's 3D scanners are either very expensive or require significant effort to produce acceptable results. Chester, UK based CADScan 3D team wants to change this.

The team has developed an easy-to-use, low-cost desktop scanner for professionals and hobbyists using a combination of low-resolution and high-resolution scanning methods. The scanner can scan objects sized up to 250mm x 250mm x 250mm and capture full colour, accurate 3D object data in just minutes.

You simply put your object into the scanner, press a button and scan. The system uses a turntable for 360 degree scanning and two unique and patented scanning heads, one to the side and one set above the object, to maximise coverage. The resolution depends on how far the object is from the scanner head. Larger objects are usually closer than small objects and therefore have a higher resolution.

The result is a fully aligned and meshed colour point cloud. For a small object (4cm x 4cm x 4cm) which is placed at the centre of the turntable the resolution is around 0.2mm. No calibration, alignment or post processing is needed.

The models are compatible with all major CAD packages and 3D printers, producing its output in .STL, .OBJ and .PLY formats.

(Images: CADScan 3D)

Up to now the team has developed a prototype for scanning small objects using high quality ABS and steel. The system software has been developed using both the prototype scanner hardware and their own simulation software.

For making some refinements to the prototype and covering tooling and testing costs the team launched the desktop 3D scanner project on Kickstarter for crowdfunding. The campaign offers an Early Backer Special - for £599 you will receive a complete desktop CADScan 3D scanner in white ABS, similar to the model shown.

The CADScan 3D has been developed with support from the UK Government's Technology Strategy Board who have helped fund the prototype to its current stage of development.